He enjoyed talking to Bryce, enjoyed hearing how Bryce saw the world, because in some ways it was so incredibly different than Nick, while in others it was the same.

“It’s five, you have to be at work in a few hours,” Nick told Bryce. It was Wednesday morning and they both had to work today.

“Yeah...I know.”

Nick reached out, stretching his arms. When he did, his arm brushed hot skin, rough hair, and he pulled back, realizing it was Bryce’s arm and they’d stretched at the same time. “Sorry.”

“I forgive you.” Bryce winked at him. “Guess we should go in.” He stood and his knee popped when he did.

“How old are you again? Your bones are cracking.” Nick teased, and Bryce shook his head, smiling.

“Who’s the one who couldn’t hang? I could have sat out here all night, old man,” Bryce teased him back.

He could have sat out here all night as well, but still, he stood.  “Thanks...for letting me work on the bike with you. I enjoyed it. You didn’t have to do that. I appreciate that you did.” More than he thought he would.

“No problem. I was scared the world might end, but looks like it didn’t.” Bryce winked. “I was glad to do it. We’re still on Saturday night, right?”

Nick was counting on it.

***

It was the fourth Saturday in a row he’d spend with Nick when he got a phone call from Christi. The summer was just starting, and the Virginia air warming around them. “Is there a reason I haven’t seen you in a month?” she asked.

He’d been so busy working or with Nick, he hadn’t even realized it had been so long. Saturdays weren’t the only day he and Nick spent together. Nick would visit after work while Bryce messed with the motorcycle in the garage, or they’d hang out earlier in the day or the mornings sometimes, too.

“Miss me?”

“Nope. I just know your life is boring without me in it. I just figured you were due a little bit of fun. You’re seriously a downer without me, Bry.”

He shook his head and laughed at her. “You’re funny, and you have a big head.”

“See? Who could handle life without their funny, big-headed friend in it every day. What’s up? Where ya been?”

Bryce still lay in bed, not wanting to get up, but he knew he had to make a trip to the store and stop by the shop for an hour or two, so he pushed up. “Nowhere. Work and hanging out with Nick, really.”

“Hot neighbor Nick?”

Bryce groaned. “Would you stop calling my neighbor hot? It’s weird.”

“No...it’s really not.”

Jesus, leave it to Christi to push things. “Well, it is to me. You’re my ex-girlfriend and he’s my friend.”

“I was your friend before I was your girlfriend, and your friend again after. I think you’re weird. And I miss you. You broke my heart a few months ago, and now you can’t even hang out with me.” Bryce froze, a small ache forming in his chest. Was that what she thought? Was that what he was doing? It had been mutual, their break-up.

“Christi?” And then there was loud laughter through the line. Bryce almost hung up the phone as he made it to the bathroom to turn the shower on. “Fuck you.”

“Do you know how many times a week I wake up crying at night because I miss you?”

“Shut up,” he said, fully aware that he sounded like he was pouting.

“Bryce, my heart will never be the same without you! How can I live without your big head and magic penis!?”

Right now he really, really hated his friend. “I’m hanging up on you now. Good-bye.”

“No! Wait. I’m giving you shit.”

“I really have to go,” he told her. “I have some shit to do, and then we’re going to barbeque this afternoon.”

“You and hot neighbor Nick? What time should I be there?”

He rolled his eyes at her, but then said, “three.” He realized he wanted his best friend to meet Nick. Wanted them to get along, since Christi had and would always be a big part of his life...and Nick was quickly becoming a part of his life, too.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Nick made his way next door as soon as he heard Bryce’s motorcycle rev in the driveway. “You have to let me marinate the meat.”

He pulled off his helmet as he sat on his bike in the garage, and then turned it off. “Oh, I do, huh?” He pulled his leg around the bike and stood. “And that sounds kinky. Be careful who you’re saying shit like that to.” Bryce winked at him and Nick rolled his eyes.